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Fulton County's Round Barn Museum can now be found in the Rand McNally Atlas which is available locally at Wal-Mart. This invaluable and free advertising will be seen all over the world.

Marsha Glassburn, Leiters Ford, who participated in the 2002 Trail of Courage as a newcomer:

A common figure of speech says that old habits die hard. But old skills, old crafts, the old knowledge and culture die quickly without people to practice them and pass them on. So, If you don't know how already, you can learn to throw a knife and tomahawk, start a fire with flint & steel, shoot a muzzle-loader, weave a basket and other crafts. Cook over an open fire; sing around a crackling campfire at night, swap tall tales. Then you need to join us next year here at the festival. If you're like most folks, you'll get bit by the bug and yearn for a rendezvous whenever you smell smoke. I will always say, "Smells like RENDEZVOUS!" I'll be back next year. Rain or shine!

Carol Layman, NorthVernon, Indiana: I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Wearing an old fashioned dress and a bonnet, I was sitting on a log bench in an autumn woods on a Sunday morning. Rays of sunshine coming down through the trees were tinted blue by campfire smoke. A trapper-type man dressed in fringed leather sat on the edge of the stage, which was a rust structure made of weathered planks. He was playing familiar songs on a squeeze box he called a melodeon. I had hardly stopped smiling since arriving at this Trail of Courage Living History Festival the day before. The only down side of the weekend was having to stay in my booth if I wanted to do business, but we took turns minding the store. A small village of wigwams was located directly behind our booth. I was so happy to see them shown to school children. Too many Hoosier students – and adults—believe the Indiana Indians lived in tepees.

The Trail of Courage in 2001 was just a few days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. This email came the day after the Trail of Courage:

I have been coming to Trail since 1988. Anything I can do to perpetuate the Trail, within my power, I will gladly do.

I told Chief White Eagle Sunday, as a former Green Beret, my first reaction was to go kill something. Then I remembered my vow of non-violence I took at the planting of the Peace Tree. If there ever was a time I needed to be there, this was the time. Being there, talking to White Eagle, and remembering what the Trail is about, helped me through a difficult time.

Let there be no doubt that what you do is worthwhile! A friend and I discovered the Trail by accident while driving up 31. Praise the Great Spirit! Over the years, I have brought my young sons, my brother and his family, three nephews, and two other friends. There was not one among the group that did not want to return the following year!! All the years I've been coming, and all the reading I've done; I had not heard the entire story of Geronimo until Sunday.

YES what you do is worthwhile!! I only wish that my health, employment, & proximity allowed me to participate in the effort. Thank you again, I NEEDED to be there this year.

The newly revised FCHS Web site, created by Debbie Willard of HTC Technologies as a public service, has brought in several e-mail responses to the Trail of Courage Living History Festival. All were very favorable. Stated one participant: "We want to thank you and your organization for allowing us to be part of the Trail of Courage week end. I do not know when I have enjoyed myself so much. Not only did I have a chance to look at my ancestry, but I was able to see some of my living family also. You and your group have done a great job in putting things together in a way that honor and shows great respect for both the Indians and the settlers of our land. I wish I could have gone with you on the trip to Kansas. If we are in any way able, we would sure like to take the trip the next time (in 2003)."

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